How to use the $5 Meal Plan to save money on food

Whether we’re traveling by sailboat or by van, Tom and I want to keep our budget really low. That way, we don’t have to worry as much about making a ton of money while cruising or camping. A huge way to save is by making cheap easy dinners at home.

Food preparation and dining out costs most people a lot of money and has always been one of my main struggles.

What is the $5 Meal Plan?

Just like it’s namesake says, the $5 Meal Plan costs just $5 per month, and for that incredibly cheap price, you get recipes every week and a grocery shopping list!

The program was designed by mom Erin Chase, who struggled to come up with ideas on how to feed her family of six on a budget.

She realized other people were dealing with the exact same thing. In fact, $5 Meal Plan surveyed 2,134 families, and on average, they spend two hours per week meal planning. Those same families say they hate the boring nature of meal planning and would rather be doing anything else.

So, that’s how the $5 Meal Plan was born! Erin really wants to help others prepare cheap, easy meals without the planning part.

This is what the $5 Meal Plan is:

For just $5 per month, you’ll get a weekly meal plan and grocery shopping list with tons of cheap, easy dinner ideas

Every meal on this meal plan costs just $2 per person

These plans save you time, money and stress of trying to put together a meal plan every week

The meals are healthy and really easy to prepare – anyone can cook these meals!

Why I love using the $5 Meal Plan

I have to admit I am not good at meal planning. Usually, I call Tom and we brainstorm about what to make for dinner that night. I’m not one of those fancy chefs who can look at ingredients on hand and come up with something amazing and wonderful for dinner. In fact, I’m the opposite. I have to wrack my brain to come up with something easy to make that will also be delicious.

I cooked many, many meals from the simple plans she sends out every week. One of my very favorites is the baked lemon chicken, which has garlic, butter, capers. I keep a folder on my desktop with all the meal plans she’s sent out, and refer back to the plans often if I need help coming up with cheap meals.

I think one huge part of being a full-time traveler is learning on how to live with less, and on less money. Cooking at home – whether that’s in a sticks and bricks home, a van, an RV, or a sailboat, is a great step toward financial freedom.

How do you save money on food? What are your favorite recipes?

Want to Work Remotely?

Sign up to get a list of 20 websites where you can find work while traveling! (*You'll also be subscribed to The Wayward Home's email list, all about van life, RVing, sailing and living smaller. Welcome aboard!)

Success! Now check your email to get your download!

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

First Name

Email Address

We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer.

I'd like to receive the free email course. We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

About Kristin Hanes

Kristin Hanes is a journalist and writer who lives on a sailboat and in a Chevy Astro van in San Francisco. She worked in radio news for 15 years before a massive layoff in 2016. Kristin has written articles about alternative living published in Good Housekeeping, Business Insider, Marie Claire, SF Gate and The Bold Italic, among others.

Hi, I'm Kristin Hanes! I live in a sailboat and in a van, and am editor-in-chief of The Wayward Home, a site all about a new type of American Dream. Stick around to learn about campervans, RV living, sailboats and tiny homes. Head to my About Me page to learn more.

Join the community!

Want more RV, tiny house and van life stories?

Join 12,000+ subscribers to learn more about living tiny and making money remotely. You've found your community.

Success! You are now subscribed to The Wayward Home. Thanks so much for joining, and watch for a few messages from me in your inbox. Kristin

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Email Address

I'd like to receive the free email course. We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit